Method of using a laminated composite radius filler
AssigneeThe Boeing Company
InventorsPanagiotis E. George, Kirk B. Kajita, Barry P. Van West
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A laminated composite (multi-ply) radius filler includes a plurality of woven fabric reinforced plies cut to fill a radius gap (including, if appropriate, intentional overfill) to increase absolute strength, to increase specific strength, or to reduce cost by reducing cracking and distortion in the radius of a composite assembly. The present invention also describes the method of manufacture and method of use for such laminated composite radius filler.
Claims8
A method for using a radius filler in a radius gap to provide at least one of the following elements:
- to improve absolute strength, to improve specific strength, to reduce cracking, to reduce cost, or to reduce distortion and variability in a composite assembly, comprising the steps of:
- (a) positioning the radius filler, having a laminate of debulked plies of fabric reinforced composite substantially the shape of the radius gap that the radius filler fills and having at least one ply oriented at +45° and another ply oriented at −45° relative to the longitudinal axis of the radius filler, in the radius gap in a composite assembly, the radius filler also having a resin that is uncured or partially cured;
- and
- (b) completing the curing of the radius filler to complete the composite assembly.
A method for improving crack resistance and reducing variability in a composite, comprising the step of:
- (a) using a laminated composite radius filler in a radius gap, the radius filler having, optionally, a composite tip in the form of a wedge made with unidirectional fibers and a body portion made from a laminate of plies of fabric reinforced composite substantially the shape of the radius gap that the radius filler fills, the body portion having at least one ply oriented at +45° and another ply oriented at −45° relative to a longitudinal axis of the body portion of the radius filler.
A method for improving crack resistance and reducing variability in a composite, comprising the step of:
- using a laminated composite radius filler in a radius gap, the radius filler having, a composite tip in the form of a wedge made with unidirectional fibers and a body portion made from a laminate of plies of fabric reinforced composite substantially the shape of the radius gap that the radius filler fills, the body portion having at least one ply oriented at +45° and another ply oriented at −45° relative to a longitudinal axis of the body portion of the radius filler.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.